"Out Here in the Redwoods Season 2 Ep 2 showcases an interview with Heath, a transman who is "detransitioning" back to his birth gender of female. During the course of the interview, he provides grossly incorrect medical statistics, implies that there is a serious problem in the medical community regarding transition and a problem in the trans community, and also portrays hormone therapy as a lethal and deadly treatment for all."

First of all, why is detransitioning in quotations? Detransitioning is a real thing. Also, I didn't provide grossly incorrect medical statistics. The only statistic I provided was that 25% of FTMs who undergo HRT can expect reproductive complications (specifically polycystic ovarian syndrome), which even doctors acknowledge, thank you. Also, for a community who so definitely believes in respecting pronouns, why keep calling me "he?" Or did you miss the part where I proclaim that I am a proud woman?

"I feel it is necessary to point out ftm transition is NOT like women bodybuilding on steroids, but like normal adolescent puberty for males if overseen by a physician. He implies that his health conditions that developed in the time after he started hormone therapy must automatically be attributed to testosterone just because it was not a problem prior to transition, but then proudly proclaims he is fat. Obesity is a serious problem that has a wealth of health problems it can cause, including heart problems leading to high blood pressure, elevated pulse and even eventual congestive heart failure. As he is overweight, we can not automatically attribute his health problems to testosterone."

Okay, since you're trying to play the role of a doctor here, despite YOU not possessing any type of medical degree either, please explain how I did NOT experience heart palpitations or an elevated pulse PRIOR to hormones? Explain how now, 5 months after ceasing hormones, I STILL don't have those issues, yet I did WHILE on hormones. Face it, the problem was not my weight or I would STILL be having those issues now. However, speaking of weight...

"Chaz Bono is not going through a questioning of self or detransition. He did transition from female to male but has not expressed anything but happiness in regards to his decisions."

No disrespect to Chaz Bono, but I believe he *definitely* weighs far more than I do. Not to mention he has plenty of money and resources at his disposal should anything go wrong, and since starting hormones, he's had health scares too. Why criticize my weight but not his?

"Scientific studies have shown there is a definite difference between the chemical makeup in men and women's brains. For a short list see

http://www.brainfitnessforlife.com/brain-anatomy-and-imaging/9-differences-between-the-male-and-female-brain/"

Those "scientific studies" are hugely biased. The only real difference between male and female brains are the weight and size of the brains. Everything else listed is based on gender stereotypes and social conditioning (at best).

"The girls between the ages of 14 and 25 who are expressing they are transgender are becoming more publicly visual, but this is not necessarily due to trend or popularity. Chaz Bono has been a high publicized role model giving momentum to the acceptance of transpeople. Medical protocols are in place, if properly followed, to prevent youth, young adults, and people of ALL AGES from transitioning without properly exploring their identity and making an informed decision."

This is not true, and I am not the only detransitioned person. Better mental health practices should be in place to allow those who are gender nonconforming to explore their options and get to the bottom of why they really feel transition is the only route.

"He states that his girlfriend,or "fiance", expressed she was a lesbian and could not be with a man during Heath's transition and he then began detransition. He does not discuss what effect her proclamation had on his choice of identity."

It's fiancée* and without quotations, thanks. I can't recall if I clearly said it in the video, but I came out as wanting to detransition the exact same night she came out to me as a lesbian. I came out first. Both of us were terrified that the other would break up if we knew the truth. I worried she'd break up with me if I told her I was going to detransition and she worried I'd break up with her for coming out as a lesbian.

Also, that's a really low blow to not only try to peg my detransition on my fiancée and at the same time implying that I am weak-minded enough to be swayed in such a circumstance. However, at one point I DID fall for gender politics/queer politics, so I can see how you came to that conclusion.

"He speaks about "weird thoughts" resulting from hormones. He states he had an increase in libido and thoughts and focus on sex once starting testosterone but implies it isn't normal. However, it is normal and expected during hormone replacement therapy from female to male and is akin to adolescent puberty. His unhappiness over his increased libido during transition is not a sign of there being medical problem or anything happening that should not have been expected."

Did you even watch my video? I'm just wondering if we watched the same thing. I acknowledge that FTMs who undergo hormones experience similar thought changes to boys going through puberty. I acknowledged that. However, it doesn't make those psychological changes any less potentially traumatizing on a female anatomy. And even though I didn't mention it in the video, it wasn't just the increased libido. I had MANY frightening thoughts on testosterone. Thoughts that I do not feel comfortable sharing publicly. People have a right to know that their thought processes CAN and probably WILL be affected by testosterone use.

"He talks about a variety of supposed discrimination, backlash and hatred in regards to various groups of people including those who detransition, intersex individuals, mtf's, ftm's, radical feminists and a few others.

In the end it seems many of his OPINIONS are based on his experience with what could be described as poor choice of company."

Uh, no. I have ONLY faced backlash from MTFs. I haven't experienced backlash from FTMs, intersex individuals, radical feminists, etc. Poor company? More like nearly every MTF I have encountered.

"He states he is taking responsibility for his mistake of transitioning but then goes on to state he wants to give advice to anyone who will listen and implies people should not transition."

Yes, and I have the right to provide a word of caution. The same words of caution doctors provide. You, on the other hand, are just trying to discredit and silence me.

"He expressed that use of a binder is akin to a corset and is inherently dangerous. Almost anything can be dangerous if improperly used. Having personally used a binder prior to my top surgery, I can factually state that many websites and distributers who sell binders include specific instructions on sizing, danger of wearing a binder that is too small or too tight, and limitations on length of wear, which is normally 8 hours per day."

I took precautions with my binder. I got a properly fitting one. I was careful not to wear it longer than 8 hours a day. I bound for over 2 years. Binders are not meant for long term use. Which means too surgery is inevitable...and has its own set of complications just like any other elective cosmetic surgery. Seriously you act like I just went into all of this blind. Again, did you even WATCH the interview? I clearly stated I researched all the facts and knew what I was getting into. I also clearly state that I felt "none of those negative things would ever happen to me." Clearly I was wrong because it DID impact my health negatively. Please, give me a break. Even trans people warn about the dangers of transition. I am doing nothing offensive that trans people and doctors don't already do.

"Approaching the end of the interview states he kept telling himself he was a straight man, not a lesbian. So, is he saying his inability to accept his homosexuality is why he tried to convince himself he was a man and not a lesbian? If that is the case, it seems his misidentification of self is the root of the problem, he was never transgender, and therefore his detransition is not relevant to actual transgender people and their struggles with transition."

That's great, but I'm not reaching out to them. I am reaching out to the trans trending crowd of women (and mostly lesbians) who think transition is their only cure. I thought I had made that abundantly clear in my interview, which, again I strongly feel you didn't actually watch because I feel like I am having to repeat a lot of the things I already explained.

"Let me speak for the trans community in saying we hope Heath finds him/herself and is happy in whatever identity he chooses. We applaud his lifestyle choices regardless of what they are as long as he is healthy and happy. That said, his attack on the transgender community as a whole due to his negative experience with transition is not welcomed or even acceptable."

You are feeding me the exact same thing I have heard from mainly MTFs. "It's okay that you detransitioned, but keep quiet about it and don't dare criticize it and don't try to prevent others from making the same mistake you did." I'm glad you feel like you have the authority to speak for the ENTIRE trans community, but you do not speak for all of them, as clearly I have been getting messages asking for help and support and advice from confused teenagers. Again, you do your thing, however harmful and unhealthy I view it to be, and I will do mine. You patronizing attitude of "as long as you're healthy and happy but just don't talk about it" isn't welcome or appreciated either. And I don't speak on behalf of anyone else but MYSELF.

"In the end, a disclaimer on the video stating

*The following interview presents opinions of the interviewee who is not a medical or scientific professional and the opinions in this interview are not meant to be taken as medical advice.*"

Yes, I agree. People shouldn't be getting their medical advice from the Internet, whether it is from myself, OR from a trans person like you. You can't have it be one sided. Either none of us are medical experts, or we both are. And clearly myself AND you are not. And medical experts are hardly the last word. Lobotomies, shock therapy, and castration were all attempts at treatment for homosexuals. Transition is just another facet of that.

Not to mention masturbating women as a cure for their "hysteria" in the Victorian Age...but I won't go there. Not today at least. Doctors knew best then and they know best now, amirite?

Out Here in the Redwoods Season 2 Ep 2 showcases an interview with Heath, a transman who is "detransitioning" back to his birth gender of female. During the course of the interview, he provides grossly incorrect medical statistics, implies that there is a serious problem in the medical community regarding transition and a problem in the trans community, and also portrays hormone therapy as a lethal and deadly treatment for all.

I feel it is necessary to point out ftm transition is NOT like women bodybuilding on steroids, but like normal adolescent puberty for males if overseen by a physician. He implies that his health conditions that developed in the time after he started hormone therapy must automatically be attributed to testosterone just because it was not a problem prior to transition, but then proudly proclaims he is fat. Obesity is a serious problem that has a wealth of health problems it can cause, including heart problems leading to high blood pressure, elevated pulse and even eventual congestive heart failure. As he is overweight, we can not automatically attribute his health problems to testosterone.

Chaz Bono is not going through a questioning of self or detransition. He did transition from female to male but has not expressed anything but happiness in regards to his decisions.

Scientific studies have shown there is a definite difference between the chemical makeup in men and women's brains. For a short list see

http://www.brainfitnessforlife.com/brain-anatomy-and-imaging/9-differences-between-the-male-and-female-brain/

The girls between the ages of 14 and 25 who are expressing they are transgender are becoming more publicly visual, but this is not necessarily due to trend or popularity. Chaz Bono has been a high publicized role model giving momentum to the acceptance of transpeople. Medical protocols are in place, if properly followed, to prevent youth, young adults, and people of ALL AGES from transitioning without properly exploring their identity and making an informed decision.

He states that his girlfriend,or "fiance", expressed she was a lesbian and could not be with a man during Heath's transition and he then began detransition. He does not discuss what effect her proclamation had on his choice of identity.

He speaks about "weird thoughts" resulting from hormones. He states he had an increase in libido and thoughts and focus on sex once starting testosterone but implies it isn't normal. However, it is normal and expected during hormone replacement therapy from female to male and is akin to adolescent puberty. His unhappiness over his increased libido during transition is not a sign of there being medical problem or anything happening that should not have been expected.

He talks about a variety of supposed discrimination, backlash and hatred in regards to various groups of people including those who detransition, intersex individuals, mtf's, ftm's, radical feminists and a few others.

In the end it seems many of his OPINIONS are based on his experience with what could be described as poor choice of company.

He states he is taking responsibility for his mistake of transitioning but then goes on to state he wants to give advice to anyone who will listen and implies people should not transition.

He expressed that use of a binder is akin to a corset and is inherently dangerous. Almost anything can be dangerous if improperly used. Having personally used a binder prior to my top surgery, I can factually state that many websites and distributers who sell binders include specific instructions on sizing, danger of wearing a binder that is too small or too tight, and limitations on length of wear, which is normally 8 hours per day.

Approaching the end of the interview states he kept telling himself he was a straight man, not a lesbian. So, is he saying his inability to accept his homosexuality is why he tried to convince himself he was a man and not a lesbian? If that is the case, it seems his misidentification of self is the root of the problem, he was never transgender, and therefore his detransition is not relevant to actual transgender people and their struggles with transition.

Let me speak for the trans community in saying we hope Heath finds him/herself and is happy in whatever identity he chooses. We applaud his lifestyle choices regardless of what they are as long as he is healthy and happy. That said, his attack on the transgender community as a whole due to his negative experience with transition is not welcomed or even acceptable.

In the end, a disclaimer on the video stating

*The following interview presents opinions of the interviewee who is not a medical or scientific professional and the opinions in this interview are not meant to be taken as medical advice.*

should be posted.